Zoustar has officially been crowned Australia’s Champion Stallion, marking a major milestone for the Widden Stud resident who has been one of the country’s most in-demand sires for several years. The 2024/25 racing season was unforgettable for the son of Northern Meteor, as he ended I Am Invincible’s three-year dominance of the Champion Sire title.
Zoustar’s progeny earned an impressive $26,318,590 in prizemoney, building on a stellar 2023/24 season where he led both the individual winners and total wins categories. His latest success makes him Widden’s first Champion Stallion since Marscay in 1992/93, joining a historic list of champions such as Vain and Bletchingly.
“It’s a very satisfying time and an incredibly hard thing to achieve,” said Widden principal Antony Thompson. “Widden has a rich history of standing some of Australia’s greatest sires, but it’s been almost 35 years since Marscay was Champion Stallion. To see Zoustar achieve this at just 15 years of age is an extraordinary moment for us, and we’re extremely proud of everything he’s accomplished.”
While I Am Invincible narrowly edged Zoustar for the most individual winners (203 to 198), Zoustar’s progeny recorded more total victories—335 wins, 20 more than I Am Invincible. The leading contributors to his tally included dual Group 1 winner Joliestar and Growing Empire, who each amassed over $2.8 million, as well as Group 1 William Reid Stakes hero Schwarz, another seven-figure earner.
Zoustar, who will stand for $275,000 including GST this season, becomes only the fourth stallion to win the award in the past nine years, following I Am Invincible, Snitzel, and Written Tycoon. He also follows in the footsteps of his grandsire Encosta De Lago, who won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008.
It was also a season to celebrate for Vinery Stud, with Ole Kirk claiming first-season sire honours thanks to the deeds of Breeders’ Plate winner King Kirk and Magic Millions heroine O’ Ole among his four Stakes winners. Darley’s Too Darn Hot, last season’s Champion First-Season Sire, captured the second-season sire title, while barnmate Harry Angel was crowned Champion Third-Season Sire.
